Google's Motion Photography Prize changes humble GIF into art

When we think of GIF pictures, we think of the never ending sequences of coiling motion. Most people treat this as humorous viral content instead of a respectable art form. Still, the hypnotic movement of GIFs has been getting some favor from the artistic community. Now, one of the top in the world London's Saatchi Gallery has collaborated with Google+ to dig into their more reflective side.

They gathered some impressive judges like, artists Tracey Emin, Cindy Sherman and Shezad Dawood, film director Baz Luhrmann, and Saatchi Gallery chief executive officer Nigel Hurst for Motion Photography Prize, which is the very first worldwide contest for artists who were working with animated GIF pictures.

More than four thousand people from fifty two nations entered their work that fitted into 6 categories. Those are – lifestyle, action, night, urban, landscape and people. The top gong was received by creative director Christina Rinaldi, a Brooklyn native, whose stunning GIF of a window cleaner in New York City attracted the viewers.

American photographer and film director Cindy Sherman was attracted to Rinaldi's work’s vibrancy. She stated that this almost transcends the GIF medium by turning the soapy water into brushstrokes; therefore, it appears more like making a painting.
Rinaldi added that selecting motion was crucial rather than still photography. She was inspired by his texture of the suds and brush strokes. She watched him as if he was a performance artist. She quickly became enamored with his efficient rhythm.